Child Health Policy and Strategy 2012 – 2015
Transcript of Child Health Policy and Strategy 2012 – 2015
1
Child Health Policy and Strategy
Child Health Policy and Strategy2010 - 2015
2
3
Child Health Policy and Strategy
Acknowlegements
Child health in Fiji has for many years been a priority of both the Public Health Division and Paediatric Department. For decades these two departments have worked in synergy ensuring the health and wellbeing of all children. This synergy is evidenced by the early introduction of new and underutilised vaccines, Integrated Management of Childhood Illness, Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) as well as adoption and support to breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding just to name a few.
Over the years the Paediatric and Public Health Departments have worked towards improving Child Health through their core function at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) and other divisional hospitals, while supporting and promoting all other activities outside of the hospital. This is reflected in the paediatric department’s goal;
“to provide the services required to meet child health needs to improve and promote the health and welfare of children, through provision of the necessary specific and specialized care and provision and promotion of the preventive aspects of that care, so that the children may reach adulthood in optimum health able to compete at the maximum level of their capabilities.”
The Child health Policy and Strategy development followed a comprehensive Child Health Review that identified priority areas that will lead to improvements in child health outcomes and Fiji’s ability to meet MDG targets. This innovative Policy has a Strategic Focus and Annual work plans. It has captured the indicators for which divisions could work to in an orchestrated way to meet national targets.
The development of this Child Health Policy and Strategy involved the consultations of many stakeholders involved in the care of infants and children in Fiji. The development of this policy document would not have been possible without the support of Dr Fiona Russell who developed the first draft of the policy before it was edited by the Paediatric (Headed by Dr Joseph Kado) and Obstetrics & Gynaecological (Headed by Dr James Fong) CSN with the support and help of Dr Frances Bingwor (National Advisor Family Health) and Kylie Jenkins (Technical Facilitator Infant & Child Health, FHSSP) & Dr Rosalina Sa’aga-Banuve, (Program Director, FHSSP).
The Ministry of Health would like to acknowledge AusAID and FHSSP for the funding support towards the development of this important document
…………………………………..Ms Una Bera(Acting Deputy Secretary Public Health)
4
5
Child Health Policy and Strategy
Table of Content
1. Introduction 7
1.1 Purpose of the Policy Document 7
1.2 Background 7Figure 1: Child mortality statistics, 2000-2009 8 ▪Figure 2: Contribution of each age group to all U5 year old deaths, 2008 9 ▪Table 1: Fiji’s progress on core indicators to monitor child survival 10 ▪
1.3 Organisation of Child Health Services 12
1.4 Challenges and the Role of Policy Direction and Support 13Provision of Adequate Resources. 14 ▪Establishment of Effective Management, Coordination and Supervisory ▪
Systems 14
1.5 Structure of the Policy Document 15
2. Policy Statement for Infant and Child Health 16
2.1 Vision, Mission and Goal 16
2.2 Policy Statement 16
2.3 Key Policy Areas on Infant and Child Health 17Activities Under Strategic Area 1: Neonatal Services 17 ▪Activities Under Strategic Area 2: Clinical Paediatric Services 18 ▪Activities Under Strategic Area 3: Preventive Paediatric Service Through EPI, ▪
HIV-PPTCT, RHD Programmes 19Activities Under Strategic Area 4: Integrated Management Of Childhood ▪
llnesses 19Activities Under Strategic Area 5: Infant Feeding And Nutrition, And ▪
Breastfeeding 19Activities Under Strategic Area 6: On-going Development And Support For ▪
Operational Research 20Cross-Cutting Issues 20 ▪Performance Indicators 21 ▪
3. NATIONAL CHILD HEALTH WORK PLAN 22
6
7
Child Health Policy and Strategy
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Purpose of the Policy Document
The purpose of this Policy & Strategy document is to outline policy statements of the Ministry of Health in support of Infant and Child Health. It outlines a framework of key strategic areas and activities to be implemented and identifies mechanisms for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of programmes and services. The policy document represents national commitments to support child health care at the highest level and calls for responsive action at all levels of the health care delivery.
The development of the Child Health Policy provides an opportunity to redefine common vision and mission, revisit goals and objectives, identify programme priorities, assess emerging issues, reprioritise areas for action; and to establish a roadmap for strengthening the delivery of a results-based programme. The policy reaffirms the need for adequate resources in order to implement an effective programme and deliver quality services. It also emphasizes the importance of strengthening the management and coordinating mechanisms to facilitate the achievement of both curative and preventive aspects of child health as reflected in the vision and mission of the programme.
1.2 Background
The Republic of Fiji Islands lies within the Pacific Ocean and is currently classified as a lower-middle income country. Fiji’s population of 827,900 primarily consists of I Taukei (57%), who are predominantly Melanesian, and Indo-Fijians (38%). Over 75% of the population live on the island of Viti Levu. There has been rapid urbanisation of the Suva peri-urban area, particularly in the area of Nasinu, in the Suva-Nausori corridor. Meanwhile the Northern Division has experienced a very substantial population decrease.
Fiji is party to the Millennium Declaration of 2000 and is committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets by the year 2015. The country has incorporated the MDGs in the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) 2011-2015, to ensure that national policies are consistent with the MDGs. The government of Fiji is committed to achieving the child health related MDG targets (MDG 1, 4, and 5) and acknowledges the contribution of reproductive health programme in the achievement of MDGs, in particular the health-related MDGs (MDG 4, 5, 6).
8
1 Child healthcare review. Fiji Health Sector Improvement Program, Ministry of Health, 2010. 2 Vital and Health Statistics, MoH.
Figure 1: Child mortality statistics, 2000-20092
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
1990 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
U5MR
IMR
Perinatal mortality
Early neonatal mortality
Neonatal mortality
Post-neonatal mortality
2015 U5MR target
2015 IMR target
In August 2010 the Ministry of Health undertook a Child Healthcare Review with the aim of evaluating how child health services can make an impact on improving Fiji’s MDGs related to child health1. The review was based on an analysis of the progress in meeting MDG 4 targets including clinical services for child healthcare, the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), the Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI), the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), child nutrition, health information, research and surveillance, and monitoring and evaluation.
The findings of the review showed that there has been little change in the infant mortality rate (IMR) and under 5 mortality rate (U5MR) for the past 10 years (Figure 1)1. The commonest reasons of morbidity and mortality in infants of birthweight >2500g and gestational age ≥34 weeks were perinatal asphyxia, meconium aspiration, and neonatal sepsis. These infants were more frequently admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at CWMH than those that were of low birthweight (<2500g) or <34 weeks gestation.
9
Child Health Policy and Strategy
Figure 2: Contribution of each age group to all U5 year old deaths, 2008
Stillbirths
0-<7d
7d-<28d
28d-<1y
2y
3y
4y
28%
11%
29%
7%
4%
17%
4%
Common reasons for admission and mortality in the infants of low birthweight and gestational age <34 weeks were hyaline membrane disease (immature lung), neonatal asphyxia, meconium aspiration syndrome, and neonatal sepsis. Acceleration of MDG4 progress could be made if more attention is given to improving the quality of antenatal and perinatal services as the currently under resourced Obstetric and Antenatal services are significant contributors.
In addition, a sizeable proportion (44%) of all under 5 year old deaths occurred after the neonatal period (Figure 2)1. A number of factors including delayed health seeking behaviour due to lack of recognition of illness severity and transportation issues, and delayed referral from subdivisional hospitals were the most frequent factors associated with childhood deaths1. The commonest reasons for admission to hospital for children beyond the neonatal period include pneumonia, sepsis (from infected scabies, impetigo, meningitis, pneumococcus, and unknown aetiology), abscess and cellulitis, acute gastroenteritis (with 29% due to rotavirus), congenital heart disease, and injuries. Early detection and treatment of pneumonia and diarrhoea (case management by IMCI trained nurses), in many cases, may prevent the progression to severe disease and hospitalisation. However IMCI is not operational in many of the divisions and shortages of IMCI drugs are common. Severe heart damage from rheumatic heart disease (RHD) following acute rheumatic fever is common and potentially preventable by early detection and good compliance with secondary penicillin prophylaxis.
10
To achieve MDG 4 targets, attention to the continuum of care is paramount. Establishment, promotion of and support for the healthy child is everybody’s business. Primary health care is equally as important as curative care. More than 80% of all childhood deaths occur in the three divisional hospitals. Good quality hospital care for children is required to increase the impact of appropriate primary health care interventions on child survival and contribute to achieving MDG 4. Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are being developed to improve the quality of services delivered.
NA: not available
Components of essential package
Core indicators Percentage (%)
Skilled attendance during pregnancy, delivery, and immediate postpartum
Proportion of births assisted by health personnel 98.8% (2008)3
99.8% (2009)
Care of the newborn Proportion of infants <12 months of age with breastfeeding initiated within one hour of birth
>99%4
Breastfeeding and complementary feeding
Proportion of infants <6 months of age exclusively breastfed
40-50%5
Proportion of infants 6-9 months of age receiving breastmilk and complementary food
NA
Micronutrient supplementation Proportion of children 6-59 months old who have received vitamin A in the past 6 months
Not done
Immunisation of children and mothers against measles
Proportion of one-year-old children immunised 93.9% (2009)6
Proportion of one-year-old children protected against neonatal tetanus through immunisation of their mothers
33%6
Integrated management of sick children
Proportion of children 0-59 months of age who had diarrhoea in the past 2 weeks and were treated with oral rehydration solution
NA
Proportion of children 0-59 months of age who had suspected pneumonia in the past 2 weeks and were taken to an appropriate health care provider
NA
Table 1: Fiji’s progress on core indicators to monitor child survival
3 Ministry of Health draft Annual Report 2009.4 PATIS Ministry of Health, average for years 2007-2009.5 The official rate of 85.5% in the National Dietetic returns, Ministry of Health, 2009, is likely to reflect a substantial degree of
double counting.6 EPI coverage survey, 2008/9.
Many factors contributing to childhood morbidity and mortality need continued programme strengthening. Fiji’s progress on core indicators to monitor child survival can be seen in Table 11.
11
Child Health Policy and Strategy
Maternity Services in Fiji are fairly well developed. While antenatal care coverage has reached more than 95% and many pregnant women receive more than four visits per pregnancy, ensuring better quality antenatal care in terms of early booking (less than 10% of women booking in the first trimester) and more goal oriented antenatal care remains a priority. Most women (>98%) give birth in the three divisional hospitals. However these hospitals are under resourced to provide services for the number of deliveries undertaken. These factors substantially contribute to the perinatal and neonatal mortality rates. Causes of death for many of the stillbirths and neonates appeared potentially preventable.
Breastfeeding rates are low at six months of age despite relatively high levels of early initiation of breastfeeding. Legislation exists to regulate the marketing of infant formulae, all hospitals have been certified Baby Friendly, but few community and workplace supports for breastfeeding are available.
A healthy diet is fundamental in keeping children healthy. There is no data on the rate of complementary food introduction but undernutrition is ~14% in children aged less than five years7. Micronutrient deficiencies are common, particularly iron, followed by Vitamin A and zinc. Despite a five year micronutrient supplementation project having commenced the importance of childhood nutrition through a healthy diet, has a relatively low profile. There is a comprehensive Food and Nutrition Policy (2008), and in 2010 the Fiji National Plan of Action on Nutrition (FPAN) was launched. The nutritional aspects of maternal and child health should be integrated into all aspects of training and service provision.
There have been many activities to increase capacity in EPI and therefore increase EPI coverage rates. The coverage rates have improved although in 2009 measles vaccine coverage rates appear to be below target which is thought to be due to a loss in experienced staff following the mandatory retirement of many health workers. The target year for measles elimination is 2012. However, ongoing support is required to achieve this and get MR vaccine coverage rates >95%. The EPI policy has recently been reviewed in 2010. The potential incorporation of new vaccines, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (to prevent pneumococcal meningitis and pneumonia) and rotavirus vaccine (to prevent one of the commonest causes of childhood diarrhoea) into the EPI schedule requires support and evaluation. Careful planning is required to ensure there is on-going surveillance to detect non-vaccine serotypes. In addition, ongoing support is required to incorporate the planned introduction of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into the school immunisation schedule.
Primary health care is a key component in the prevention of the many of the childhood illnesses. This includes ongoing support for breastfeeding, nutritional advice, hand washing with soap, minimising the inhalation of indoor air pollution (via cooking smoke or
7 Consolidated Monthly Returns, 2005-8.
12
cigarettes), oral health, making a child’s home safe, and basic parenting/child care skills. Basic first aid and CPR is also important. In addition the encouragement of food gardens and healthy eating patterns, attendance at antenatal clinic (ANC) and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinics, and the ability to identify a sick child needing medical care cannot be overemphasised.
To maximise a child’s potential, children need to grow up in a home and community environment that are free from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect. Fiji ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993 and the Child Welfare Decree (which focuses mainly on child abuse, exploitation and neglect) was instituted. When children are abused or neglected there should be guidelines in place to minimise the social, emotional and psychological implications and effects on the child.
Children with disabilities and their families often experience barriers to the enjoyment of their basic human rights and to their inclusion in society. Their abilities are often overlooked, their capacities are underestimated and their needs are given low priority. Early intervention services are required to enhance the child’s development, to provide support, assist families, and maximise the child’s benefit to society. As neonatal services improve and given that most neonates survive perinatal asphyxia, the need for early intervention and disability services may grow.
Each contact with the health system should be used as an opportunity for health promotion. MCH clinic attendance is an ideal opportunity to give vital health messages as women bring their infants to MCH at least four times in the first year of life.
Collection and collation of data is important for strategic health service delivery and planning. The Public Health Information System (PHIS) and the Patient Information System (PATIS) collect data required for planning. At all levels of the health system, planned activities should be strategic and responsive to the common childhood problems.
1.3 Organisation of Child Health Services
Different levels in the health system are defined in the Clinical Services Planning (CSP) Framework. Basic health care is provided through a hierarchy of VHW (although not formally a MoH service), nursing stations, health centres, subdivisional hospitals, and divisional and specialist hospitals. Divisional hospitals provide tertiary care and subdivisional hospitals provide primary health care and limited secondary health care services. This model has served the country well, but over recent years demographic and social change and improved transport, have meant that the location and size of the buildings require review.
13
Child Health Policy and Strategy
Fiji has a well developed health care system and infrastructure. Newborn and paediatric care have a well-defined clinical/curative component and a public health/preventive component. Linkages and integration between these sections are clearly supported by the Ministry. Health services and programmes are delivered through a decentralised approach through four health divisions Central, Eastern, Northern and Western Divisions.
The types of health facilities comprise the following:
Divisional Hospitals - 3 +
Subdivisional Hospitals - 17 (level 1: 4; level 2: 13) +
Health Centres - 78 +
Nursing Stations - 103 + In addition, paediatric services are also provided by the private sector comprising Suva Private Hospital and about 75 registered General Practitioners.
The MoH child health services cover a wide area of health care, with the main ones including:
1. Clinical services for neonatal and child health 2. IMCI3. MCH checks including EPI4. BFHI5. Child nutrition including Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF)6 School health7. RHD control8. Adolescent health care9. HIV-Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission ( PPTCT)
1.4 Challenges and the Role of Policy Direction and Support
The move towards decentralisation of programmes and services under the recent health reform aims to build infrastructure, capacity and resources at subdivisional level to be able to deliver a wide spectrum of services as adequately as possible within the constraints of available resources. However these resources have been stretched which often compromises the quality of health services provided. The health sector reforms including the 2009 mandatory retirement of officers reaching the age of 55 years had left a huge gap in senior and middle management 8.
8 MoH draft Annual Report, 2009.
14
Despite the good intentions of decentralisation, Fiji continues to face significant challenges and constraints that impede the delivery of quality child health services at all levels of the health care system. These are largely related to staffing shortage, inadequately equipped facilities, weak health systems, and inadequate coordination and management of programmes and services. There have been some research activities assisting in providing an evidence-base to programming which assists in informed policy formulation. The recent Child Healthcare Review1 assisted in identifying priority areas for programming. This policy document calls for action to address these challenges and constraints. Two main action areas for policy direction to support the implementation and delivery of child health programmes and services are highlighted:
1. PROVISION OF ADEQUATE RESOURCES In order that resources are adequately mapped out to facilitate delivery of quality services, the following statements apply:
The functions of each category of health facility and services to be provided at each +
level of facility are clearly defined and communicated.The roles of staff assigned to work the facilities are clearly defined and that staff are +
adequately skilled to deliver these functions and roles.The facilities are adequately equipped with supplies, medicines, commodities and +
equipment to be able to deliver the functions prescribed for each facility.Mechanisms for ongoing capacity building, continuing education and supportive +
supervision are established and strengthened to maintain staff morale, upkeep knowledge and skills, and help retain staff.
2. ESTABLISHMENT OF EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT, COORDINATION AND SUPERVISORY SYSTEMSIn order to support the functions of each health facility (hospital level to a nursing station), the following need to be established and strengthened:
Clearly defined management, coordination and supervisory roles effectively +
communicated to relevant staff and the health facility team. Staff in position of management and supervision are capable of and accountable +
for the effective delivery of facility functions.Clearly defined communication lines are in place to enhance coordination. +
Established patient referral system and continuity of care from one facility to +
another, and between curative services and preventive/public health services. Mechanisms for ongoing reviews & monitoring and management meetings are in +
place to support effective programme coordination and health care delivery.
15
Child Health Policy and Strategy
1.5 Structure of the Policy Document
This policy document was drafted following the Child Healthcare Review undertaken over 6 weeks in 2010 in which extensive consultation was undertaken with the senior staff from the Ministry of Health, The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization (WHO), and NGOs. This document overlaps substantially with the Reproductive Health Policy and Strategy 2010 and care was taken to ensure consistency within the two policies and expands on aspects pertaining to child health in this policy.
The following policies and strategies are relevant to child health:
Reproductive Health Policy and Strategy 2010 +
2008 Food and Nutrition Policy +
Breastfeeding Policy +
National Food and Nutrition Policy for Schools 2009 +
The Fiji Plan of Action for Nutrition 2010-2014 +
Expanded Programme on Immunisation Policy 2010 +
Fiji PMTCT HIV Policy +
Rheumatic Heart Disease strategy (under development) +
Child Welfare Decree 2010 +
This document includes two component areas aligned to the priority child health action areas for Fiji. Each area has a policy statement which translates into a number of key strategic actions. A number of key activities are outlined under each strategic area. The two component areas include:
1. Newborn Care: This is also contained within the Safe Motherhood – Maternal and Newborn Care in the Reproductive Health Policy and Strategy 2010
2. Infant and Child Health
16
Chapter 2: Policy Statement for Infant and Child Health
2.1 Vision, Mission and Goal
VISION: The achievement of optimum child health for all children in Fiji
MISSION: To provide comprehensive and integrated health services for all children.
GOALS:
Goal 1: To contribute to the reduction of childhood morbidity and mortality by two thirds between 1990 and 2015, thus contributing to the achievements of MDG 4, specifically:To achieve an IMR of 5.5 per 1,000 live births by 2015 +
To achieve an U5MR of 9.3 per 1,000 live births by 2015 +
Goal 2: To contribute to the reduction in under five under-nutrition by three quarters between 1990 and 2015, thus contributing to the achievements of MDG 1, specifically:To reduce undernutrition in under 5 years olds to 50% by 2015 +
2.2 Policy Statement
All infants and children have access to quality curative and preventive paediatric services to protect and safeguard their health, with particular reference to the most common causes of infant and childhood morbidity and mortality including respiratory illness, diarrhoeal disease, and malnutrition.
17
Child Health Policy and Strategy
2.3 Key Policy Areas on Infant and Child Health
Policy Statements On Infant & Child Health
Protecting the health of infants and children from common illnesses will support their survival, growth and development to full potential. The policy calls for action and allocation of necessary resources to provide comprehensive and integrated services for infant and child health. This will help to reduce neonatal, infant and childhood morbidity and mortality thus contributing towards the achievement of MDG 4.
Activities Under Strategic Area 1: Neonatal Services
1. Assist in the review of the nursing curriculum in newborn care and neonatal resuscitation training.
2. Review current neonatal services in all subdivisional hospitals to harmonise with the CSP.
3. Provide ongoing training for maternal and neonatal care staff in all subdivisional hospitals, including midwife training in foetal monitoring, neonatal resuscitation, and newborn care.
4. Develop/review standard protocols and treatment guidelines for doctors and nurses for the most common neonatal conditions.
POLICY STATEMENT: All infants and children have access to both curative and preventive paediatric services to protect and safeguard their health, with particular reference to the most common causes of infant and childhood morbidity and mortality including respiratory illness, diarrhoeal disease and malnutrition
Strategic Area 1: Development of a well-functional Neonatal Services.
Strategic Area 2: Development of a well–functional Paediatric Service that provides optimal continuity of care and links in-patient with out-patient paediatric care.
Strategic Area 3: Development of a well functional Preventive Paediatric Service to protect neonates, infants and young children from common illnesses through the EPI programme and other preventive health programmes such as HIV-PPTCT and RHD.
Strategic Area 4: Development of a well functional programme on “Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI)” that aims to reduce the incidence and prevalence of the most common causes of childhood illnesses.
Strategic Area 5: Development of an Infant Nutrition/Feeding programme, including the promotion of Breastfeeding to reduce the incidence and prevalence of nutrition-related causes of childhood illnesses and future non communicable diseases
Strategic Area 6: Ongoing development and support for operational research.
18
5. Establish an effective referral and follow-up system to facilitate continuity of care.6. Establish a mechanism for on-going Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of neonatal
services – including a regular analytical review of neonatal service data for informed decisions and evidence-based programming.
7. Confidential inquiry of all neonatal deaths and stillbirths with refinement of the data collected regarding the stillbirths and neonatal deaths to determine whether preventable factors were evident or whether the neonate was incompatible with life.
Activities Under Strategic Area 2: Clinical Paediatric Services
1. Assist in the review of the nursing curriculum in MCH and child healthcare.2. Develop specialist paediatric nurses including general paediatrics, PICU and NICU. 3. Review of current Paediatric Services in all hospitals, health centres and facilities;
and identify areas for improvement and resources required.4. All nurses undertaking pre-service, midwifery, and public health nursing to be
trained in basic child health (including IMCI, MCH, Paediatric Life Support (PLS), neonatal resuscitation etc) with regular refresher courses.
5. Capacity building and in-service training for clinical staff in all hospitals and clinical settings in the CPGs and other core paediatric skills namely IMCI, PLS, Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS), and the WHO Pocket Book for Hospital Care of Children.
6. Provision of a career path for Diploma graduates and revitalisation of the Diploma in District Practice.
7. Review and dissemination of standard protocols and CPGs on the most common Paediatric conditions.
8. Establish an effective referral and follow-up system to enhance continuity of care.9. Establish mechanisms for on-going M&E of Paediatric services – including a regular
analytical review of paediatric service data for informed decisions and evidence-based programming.
10. Confidential inquiry of all under 5 year old deaths.11. Conduct outreach clinics to sub divisional hospitals.12. Review of child disability and early intervention services.13. Review of child and adolescent mental health services.
19
Child Health Policy and Strategy
Activities Under Strategic Area 3: Preventive Paediatric Service through EPI, HIV-PPTCT, RHD programmes.
1. Specialist input into the revised VHW curriculum.2. Develop teaching aids and health promotion materials for MCH nurses and VHW.3. Revise MCH card/booklet.4. Strengthen partnerships with NGOs and community organisations and offer VHW
training to their community health workers.5. Ongoing support for EPI.6. Implementation and evaluation of the infant pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus
vaccines, and HPV vaccine into the school health programme.7. Ongoing support for HIV-PPTCT.8. Support for the development of the RHD strategy.9. Ongoing support for the RHD programme for screening and secondary
prophylaxis.10. Review of school health screening and incorporation of RHD screening.11. Finalise child protection policy.
Activities Under Strategic Area 4: Integrated Management Of Childhood Illnesses
1. Review/develop policies and guidelines relating to IMCI and wellbeing.2. Provide ongoing training for health care workers in the delivery of IMCI and
wellbeing.3. Provide access for General Practitioners to ICATT (IMCI) training.4. Strengthen referral and follow-up system to improve IMCI and wellbeing.5. Review of medicines and other commodities required for an effective IMCI
programme. 6. Establishment of mechanisms for on-going practical M&E.
Activities Under Strategic Area 5:Infant Feeding And Nutrition, And Breastfeeding
1. Undertake operational research to understand the enablers and disablers of Breastfeeding.
2. Devise evidence based social marketing of Breastfeeding.3. Review of current Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding/Nutrition policies and
practices.4. Capacity building and in-service training for staff involved in the implementation of
the Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding programme.
20
5. Develop community supports for Breastfeeding with engagement of community groups and agencies.
6. Establish an effective referral and follow-up system to enhance continuity of care and integration of services to support Infant Feeding.
7. Establish mechanisms for on-going practical M&E to support delivery of Infant Feeding and Nutrition to assist in strategic planning at all levels. 8. D e v e l o p guidelines for the management of children with specific nutritional needs, e.g. HIV positive children and HIV negative infants (HIV positive mother).
9. Incorporation of micronutrient supplementation as a routine particularly for under 2 year olds, pregnant women, and girls in their final year of school.
10. Ongoing support and integration with The Fiji Plan of Action for Nutrition 2010-2014.
Activities Under Strategic Area 6: Ongoing Development And Support For Operational Research
1. Continue partnerships with institutions, agencies, and strengthen links with NGOs to undertake relevant operational research to evaluate the impact of various child health activities and develop the evidence for ongoing strategic planning.
Cross-Cutting Issues1. Appoint a senior child health officer to co-ordinate and monitor the implementation
of the strategy in harmony with other relevant policies and liaise with the divisions on the inclusion of child health activities in annual plans.
2. Regular meetings of the child health committee to guide direction of the implementation of the strategy and monitor progress.
3. Develop a standardised annual child health progress report to assess MDG and other key performance indicator progress.
4. Further training in PHIS and data analysis at all levels of the health system, so activities are strategic and responsive to the common childhood problems.
5. Resources are secured to facilitate the implementation of the activities under each key strategic area in order to operationalise the policy statement. Resources include adequate staffing, facilities and equipment, supplies and commodities.
6. Specialist nurses should be recognised and renumerated with a minimisation of staff movements once staff are trained in a certain area.
7. Plans for integration of Paediatric services into primary health care facilities as a long-term sustainable approach.
8. Integration and linkages for stronger partnership at all levels of implementation and engaging sector-wide approaches.
21
Child Health Policy and Strategy
9. Apply the principles of primary health care to engage parent, families and communities in infant and child care.
10. Document lessons learned and best practices as a tool for evidence-based programming.
11. Partner agencies and donor community to engage in more effective coordination at divisional and national level.
Performance Indicators
Input indicatorsInfant and Child Health is integrated with national Reproductive Health policy and +
made widely available. Availability of skilled providers – nurses and doctors to provide the services. +
Availability of VHWs. +
Availability of medicines, equipment, and drugs. +
Process and output indicatorsNumber of hospitals with well-equipped and adequately staffed neonatal units and +
paediatric wards.Number of health facilities with trained staff to provide IMCI services. +
Number of health facilities with trained staff to provide Infant Nutrition and +
Immunisation.Number of health facilities with trained staff to provide PPTCT services. +
Establishment of referral mechanisms for an integrated program providing +
continuity of care.Increase in number of trained service providers. +
Increase in number of health facilities equipped to provide optimal infant and child +
health.
Outcome indicatorsReduction in perinatal mortality rate +
Reduction in neonatal morbidity and mortality rates +
Reduction in infant morbidity and mortality rates +
Reduction in under 5 morbidity and mortality rates +
Reduction in Paediatric admissions – respiratory, diarrhoeal diseases and +
malnutritionIncreased EPI coverage +
Reduction in under 5 undernutrition rate +
22
Nat
iona
l Chi
ld H
ealt
h W
ork
Plan
Div
isio
n An
d Su
bdiv
isio
nal W
ork
Plan
s 20
12-2
013
ACTI
VITI
ESPE
RFO
RMAN
CE IN
DIC
ATO
RSTI
MEL
INE
RESP
ON
SIBI
LITY
STRA
TEG
IC A
REA
1:
Dev
elop
men
t of a
wel
l-fun
ctio
nal N
eona
tal S
ervi
ces.
1. R
evie
w n
ursi
ng c
urric
ulum
in n
ewbo
rn c
are
and
neon
atal
resu
scita
tion
trai
ning
.Pr
ovid
e sp
ecia
list i
nput
into
revi
sion
of c
urric
ulum
2012
-201
3FN
U, P
aedi
atric
CSN
, MoH
, O
bste
tric
CSN
, FH
SSP
2. R
evie
w c
urre
nt n
eona
tal s
ervi
ces
in a
ll su
bdiv
isio
nal
hosp
itals
to h
arm
onis
e w
ith C
SP.
Revi
ew u
nder
take
n.Re
com
men
datio
ns im
plem
ente
d.20
1220
13Pa
edia
tric
CSN
, FH
SSP
3. P
rovi
de o
ngoi
ng tr
aini
ng fo
r mat
erna
l and
neo
nata
l ca
re s
taff
in a
ll su
bdiv
isio
nal h
ospi
tals
, inc
ludi
ng
mid
wife
trai
ning
in fo
etal
mon
itorin
g, n
eona
tal
resu
scita
tion,
and
new
born
car
e.
Trai
ning
pla
n de
velo
ped
& im
plem
ente
d.20
12 &
on-
goin
g M
oH, F
NU
, FH
SSP,
UN
ICEF
, W
HO
,
4. D
evel
op/r
evie
w s
tand
ard
prot
ocol
s an
d tr
eatm
ent
guid
elin
es fo
r the
mos
t com
mon
neo
nata
l co
nditi
ons.
Prot
ocol
s de
velo
ped
and
dist
ribut
ed.
2012
-201
3Pa
edia
tric
CSN
5. E
stab
lishm
ent o
f an
effec
tive
refe
rral
and
follo
w-u
p sy
stem
to fa
cilit
ate
cont
inui
ty o
f car
e.Re
ferr
al a
nd fo
llow
up
syst
em d
evel
oped
.20
12 &
on-
goin
g Pa
edia
tric
CSN
6. E
stab
lishm
ent o
f mec
hani
sms
for o
n-go
ing
Mon
itorin
g an
d Ev
alua
tion
(M&
E) o
f neo
nata
l se
rvic
es –
incl
udin
g a
regu
lar a
naly
tical
revi
ew o
f ne
onat
al s
ervi
ce d
ata
for i
nfor
med
dec
isio
ns a
nd
evid
ence
-bas
ed p
rogr
amm
ing.
Stan
dard
isat
ion
of th
e co
llect
ion
of N
ICU
dat
a in
3
divi
sion
al h
ospi
tals
.
Annu
al c
olla
tion
of N
ICU
dat
a.
7. C
onfid
entia
l inq
uiry
of a
ll ne
onat
al d
eath
s an
d st
illbi
rths
.D
evel
op re
view
com
mitt
ee a
nd g
uide
lines
.
50%
of a
ll de
aths
revi
ewed
by
end
of 2
012.
>95%
of a
ll de
aths
revi
ewed
ther
eafte
r.
2012
Paed
iatr
ic C
SN, O
BSTE
TRIC
CS
N
STRA
TEG
IC A
REA
2:
Dev
elop
men
t of a
wel
l–fu
nctio
nal P
aedi
atric
Ser
vice
that
pro
vide
s op
timal
con
tinui
ty o
f car
e an
d lin
ks in
-pat
ient
with
out
-pa
tient
pae
diat
ric c
are.
1. R
evie
w n
ursi
ng c
urric
ulum
in M
CH a
nd c
hild
he
alth
care
.Pr
ovid
e sp
ecia
list i
nput
into
revi
sion
of c
urric
ulum
.20
12FN
U, P
aedi
atric
CSN
, MoH
, O
bste
tric
CSN
, FH
SSP
2. D
evel
op s
peci
alis
t nur
ses
incl
udin
g ge
nera
l pa
edia
tric
s, P
ICU
and
NIC
U.
Dev
elop
pae
diat
ric n
urse
trai
ning
cou
rse.
Supp
ort f
or N
ICU
and
PIC
U P
ACTE
M n
urse
s to
de
velo
p gu
idel
ines
, tra
inin
g &
pro
vide
sup
ervi
sion
.
2012
& o
n-go
ing
2012
-201
3
FNU
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN, M
oH,
FHSS
P,
3. R
evie
w c
urre
nt P
aedi
atric
Ser
vice
s in
all
hosp
itals
, he
alth
cen
tres
and
faci
litie
s; a
nd id
entif
y ar
eas
for
impr
ovem
ent a
nd re
sour
ces
requ
ired.
Reco
mm
enda
tions
impl
emen
ted.
Revi
ew u
nder
take
n an
d co
mpl
eted
.
2013
& o
n-go
ing
Paed
iatr
ic C
SN, M
oH, F
NU
, FH
SSP
23
Child Health Policy and Strategy
ACTI
VITI
ESPE
RFO
RMAN
CE IN
DIC
ATO
RSTI
MEL
INE
RESP
ON
SIBI
LITY
4. C
apac
ity b
uild
ing
and
in-s
ervi
ce tr
aini
ng fo
r CPG
s an
d ot
her c
ore
paed
iatr
ic s
kills
: IM
CI, P
LS, A
PLS,
W
HO
Poc
ket B
ook,
and
spe
cial
ist C
PGs.
In-s
ervi
ce tr
aini
ng p
lan
deve
lope
d an
d im
plem
ente
d in
eac
h di
visi
on fo
r: IM
CI, n
eona
tal r
esus
cita
tion,
PLS
, AP
LS, W
HO
Poc
ket B
ook.
2013
& o
n-go
ing
Paed
iatr
ic C
SN, F
HSS
P, M
oH
5. R
evie
w a
nd d
isse
min
atio
n of
sta
ndar
d pr
otoc
ols
and
CPG
s on
the
mos
t com
mon
Pae
diat
ric
cond
ition
s.
IMCI
, WH
O P
ocke
t Boo
k, &
spe
cial
ist C
PG a
vaila
ble
in
all r
elev
ant h
ealth
faci
litie
s.20
12Pa
edia
tric
CSN
, MoH
, FH
SSP
6. E
stab
lishm
ent o
f an
effec
tive
refe
rral
and
follo
w-u
p sy
stem
to e
nhan
ce c
ontin
uity
of c
are.
Refe
rral
& fo
llow
up
syst
em e
stab
lishe
d.20
12 &
on-
goin
g Pa
edia
tric
CSN
7. E
stab
lishm
ent o
f mec
hani
sms
for o
n-go
ing
M&
E of
Pa
edia
tric
ser
vice
s –
incl
udin
g a
regu
lar a
naly
tical
re
view
of p
aedi
atric
ser
vice
dat
a fo
r inf
orm
ed
deci
sion
s an
d ev
iden
ce-b
ased
pro
gram
min
g.
Annu
al n
atio
nal N
ICU
and
chi
ld h
ealth
repo
rt.
2012
& o
n-go
ing
Paed
iatr
ic C
SN
8. C
onfid
entia
l inq
uiry
of a
ll un
der 5
yea
r old
dea
ths.
0% o
f all
deat
hs re
view
ed b
y en
d of
201
2.>9
5% o
f all
deat
hs re
view
ed th
erea
fter.
on-g
oing
Paed
iatr
ic C
SN
9. C
ondu
ct o
utre
ach
clin
ics
to s
ubdi
visi
onal
hos
pita
ls.
9 O
utre
ach
clin
ics
perf
orm
ed p
er y
ear i
n ea
ch
divi
sion
.20
12 &
on-
goin
g Pa
edia
tric
CSN
, MoH
10.R
evie
w o
f chi
ld d
isab
ility
and
ear
ly in
terv
entio
n se
rvic
es.
Revi
ew u
nder
take
n an
d co
mpl
eted
.
Reco
mm
enda
tions
impl
emen
ted.
2013
& o
n-go
ing
Paed
iatr
ic C
SN, M
oH
11.R
evie
w o
f chi
ld a
nd a
dole
scen
t men
tal h
ealth
se
rvic
es.
Revi
ew u
nder
take
n an
d co
mpl
eted
.
Reco
mm
enda
tions
impl
emen
ted.
2013
& o
n-go
ing
Paed
iatr
ic C
SN, S
t Gile
s
STRA
TEG
IC A
REA
3:
Dev
elop
men
t of a
wel
l fun
ctio
nal P
reve
ntiv
e Pa
edia
tric
Ser
vice
to p
rote
ct n
eona
tes,
infa
nts
and
youn
g ch
ildre
n fr
om c
omm
on
illne
sses
thro
ugh
the
EPI p
rogr
amm
e an
d ot
her p
reve
ntiv
e he
alth
pro
gram
mes
suc
h as
HIV
-PPT
CT a
nd R
HD
.1.
Spe
cial
ist i
nput
into
the
revi
sed
VHW
cur
ricul
um.
VHW
cur
ricul
um fi
nalis
ed.
2012
MoH
, Pa
edia
tric
CSN
2. D
evel
opm
ent o
f tea
chin
g ai
ds a
nd h
ealth
pr
omot
ion
for M
CH n
urse
s an
d VH
W.
Mat
eria
ls d
evel
oped
& d
istr
ibut
ed20
12M
OH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN
3. R
evis
ion
of M
CH c
ard/
book
let.
MCH
car
d/bo
okle
t dev
elop
ed &
dis
trib
uted
.20
12-2
012
Paed
iatr
ic C
SN, M
oH, F
HSS
P
4. S
tren
gthe
n pa
rtne
rshi
ps w
ith N
GO
s an
d co
mm
unity
org
anis
atio
ns a
nd o
ffer V
HW
trai
ning
to
thei
r com
mun
ity h
ealth
wor
kers
.
300
com
mun
ity h
ealth
wor
kers
trai
ned
per y
ear.
2012
& o
n-go
ing
MoH
, FH
SSP,
WH
O, J
ICA
5. O
n-go
ing
supp
ort f
or E
PI.
MR1
cov
erag
e ra
te.
2012
& o
n-go
ing
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN,
UN
ICEF
, JIC
A, W
HO
, FH
SSP,
24
ACTI
VITI
ESPE
RFO
RMAN
CE IN
DIC
ATO
RSTI
MEL
INE
RESP
ON
SIBI
LITY
6. I
mpl
emen
tatio
n an
d ev
alua
tion
of th
e in
fant
pn
eum
ococ
cal c
onju
gate
and
rota
viru
s va
ccin
es,
and
HPV
vac
cine
into
the
scho
ol h
ealth
pro
gram
me.
Dev
elop
men
t of e
valu
atio
n pl
an p
rior t
o ne
w v
acci
ne
intr
oduc
tion.
Impl
emen
tatio
n of
vac
cine
s in
201
2.Ev
alua
tion
of im
pact
.
2012
& o
n-go
ing
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN,
Mat
aika
hou
se, F
HSS
P
7. O
n-go
ing
supp
ort f
or H
IV-P
PTCT
.M
TCT
rate
s.20
12 &
on-
goin
gM
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
,
8. S
uppo
rt fo
r the
dev
elop
men
t of t
he R
HD
str
ateg
y.RH
D s
trat
egy
com
plet
e.20
12M
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
9. O
n-go
ing
supp
ort f
or th
e RH
D p
rogr
amm
e fo
r sc
reen
ing
and
seco
ndar
y pr
ophy
laxi
s.O
ngoi
ng R
HD
pro
gram
me
supp
ort.
2012
& o
n-go
ing
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN
10.R
evie
w o
f sch
ool h
ealth
scr
eeni
ng a
nd
inco
rpor
atio
n of
RH
D s
cree
ning
. Ev
iden
ce b
ased
sch
ool b
ased
scr
eeni
ng p
rogr
amm
e de
velo
ped.
20
12 &
on-
goin
gM
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
11.F
inal
ise
child
pro
tect
ion
polic
y.Po
licy
final
ised
.20
12M
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
,
STRA
TEG
IC A
REA
4:
Dev
elop
men
t of a
wel
l fun
ctio
nal p
rogr
amm
e on
IMCI
that
aim
s to
redu
ce th
e in
cide
nce
and
prev
alen
ce o
f the
mos
t com
mon
ca
uses
of c
hild
hood
illn
esse
s.1.
Rev
iew
/dev
elop
pol
icie
s an
d gu
idel
ines
rela
ting
to
IMCI
and
wel
lbei
ng.
IMCI
str
ateg
y de
velo
ped.
20
12-2
013
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN
2. P
rovi
de o
n-go
ing
trai
ning
for h
ealth
car
e w
orke
rs in
th
e de
liver
y of
IMCI
and
wel
lbei
ng.
In-s
ervi
ce tr
aini
ng p
lan
deve
lope
d fo
r eac
h di
visi
on.
2012
& o
n-go
ing
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN,
FHSS
P, F
NU
3. P
rovi
de a
cces
s fo
r Gen
eral
Pra
ctiti
oner
s to
ICAT
T (IM
CI) t
rain
ing.
ICAT
T pa
rt o
f con
tinuo
us m
edic
al e
duca
tion
for G
Ps.
2012
& o
n-go
ing
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN
4. S
tren
gthe
n re
ferr
al a
nd fo
llow
-up
syst
em to
im
prov
e IM
CI a
nd w
ellb
eing
.Re
ferr
al &
follo
w u
p sy
stem
est
ablis
hed.
2012
& o
n-go
ing
Div
isio
nal I
MCI
Com
mit-
tee’
s, M
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
5. R
evie
w o
f med
icin
es a
nd o
ther
com
mod
ities
re
quire
d fo
r an
effec
tive
IMCI
pro
gram
me.
All h
ealth
faci
litie
s ha
ve IM
CI m
edic
ines
in s
tock
and
IM
CI e
quip
men
t ava
ilabl
e.20
12D
ivis
iona
l IM
CI C
omm
it-te
e’s,
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN,
FPBS
6. E
stab
lishm
ent o
f mec
hani
sms
for o
n-go
ing
prac
tical
M
&E.
M
&E
plan
dev
elop
ed.
Each
hea
lth fa
cilit
y ha
s M
&E
perf
orm
ed e
very
6
mon
ths.
2012
-201
320
13 &
on-
goin
g
Div
isio
nal I
MCI
Com
mit-
tee’
s, M
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
STRA
TEG
IC A
REA
5:
Dev
elop
men
t of a
n In
fant
Nut
ritio
n/Fe
edin
g pr
ogra
mm
e, in
clud
ing
the
prom
otio
n of
Bre
astfe
edin
g to
redu
ce th
e in
cide
nce
and
prev
alen
ce o
f nut
ritio
n-re
late
d ca
uses
of c
hild
hood
illn
esse
s.1.
Und
erta
ke o
pera
tiona
l res
earc
h to
und
erst
and
the
enab
lers
and
dis
able
rs o
f Bre
astfe
edin
g.Re
sear
ch u
nder
take
n w
ith p
artn
ers.
2013
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN, F
NU
, U
NIC
EF
25
Child Health Policy and StrategyAC
TIVI
TIES
PERF
ORM
ANCE
IND
ICAT
ORS
TIM
ELIN
ERE
SPO
NSI
BILI
TY2.
Dev
ise
evid
ence
bas
ed s
ocia
l mar
ketin
g of
br
east
feed
ing.
Soci
al re
sear
ch u
nder
take
n an
d m
arke
ting
plan
de
velo
ped.
2012
-201
3M
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
, FN
U,
UN
ICEF
, FH
SSP
3. R
evie
w o
f cur
rent
Bre
astfe
edin
g an
d In
fant
Fee
ding
/N
utrit
ion
polic
ies
and
prac
tices
.Re
view
com
plet
ed.
Revi
sed
polic
ies
final
ised
2012
-201
3M
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
, FN
U,
UN
ICEF
, FH
SSP
4. C
apac
ity b
uild
ing
and
in-s
ervi
ce tr
aini
ng fo
r sta
ff in
volv
ed in
the
impl
emen
tatio
n of
the
Brea
stfe
edin
g an
d In
fant
Fee
ding
pro
gram
me.
In-s
ervi
ce tr
aini
ng p
lan
deve
lope
d &
impl
emen
ted.
2012
& o
n-go
ing
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN, F
HSS
P,
UN
ICEF
5. D
evel
op c
omm
unity
sup
port
s fo
r Bre
astfe
edin
g w
ith e
ngag
emen
t of c
omm
unity
gro
ups
and
agen
cies
.
Iden
tify
sust
aina
ble
com
mun
ity s
uppo
rt g
roup
s pa
rtic
ular
ly in
are
as w
here
exc
lusi
ve b
reas
tfeed
ing
<30%
.Es
tabl
ish
supp
ort g
roup
s in
>90
% o
f hea
lth fa
cilit
ies
2012
& o
n-go
ing
2013
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN, F
NU
, U
NIC
EF, F
HSS
P
6. E
stab
lish
an e
ffect
ive
refe
rral
and
follo
w-u
p sy
stem
to
enh
ance
con
tinui
ty o
f car
e an
d in
tegr
atio
n of
se
rvic
es to
sup
port
Infa
nt F
eedi
ng.
Refe
rral
and
follo
w u
p pl
an d
evel
oped
.20
12M
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
7. E
stab
lish
a m
echa
nism
for o
n-go
ing
M&
E to
su
ppor
t del
iver
y of
Infa
nt F
eedi
ng a
nd N
utrit
ion
to
assi
st in
str
ateg
ic p
lann
ing
at a
ll le
vels
.
M&
E pl
an d
evel
oped
.20
12-2
013
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN
8. D
evel
op g
uide
lines
for t
he m
anag
emen
t of c
hild
ren
with
spe
cific
nut
ritio
nal n
eeds
, e.g
. HIV
pos
itive
ch
ildre
n an
d H
IV n
egat
ive
infa
nts
(HIV
pos
itive
m
othe
r).
Gui
delin
es d
evel
oped
and
dis
trib
uted
.20
12-2
013
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN
9. I
ncor
pora
tion
of m
icro
nutr
ient
sup
plem
enta
tion
as a
rout
ine
part
icul
arly
for u
nder
2 y
ear o
lds,
pr
egna
nt w
omen
, and
girl
s in
thei
r fina
l yea
r of
scho
ol.
>70%
of u
nder
2 y
ear o
lds
rece
ivin
g su
pple
men
ts
annu
ally
.>9
0% o
f pre
gnan
t wom
en re
ceiv
ing
supp
lem
ents
an
nual
ly.
>80%
of fi
nal y
ear s
choo
l girl
s re
ceiv
ing
supp
lem
ents
an
nual
ly.
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN
10. O
ngoi
ng s
uppo
rt a
nd in
tegr
atio
n w
ith T
he F
iji P
lan
of A
ctio
n fo
r Nut
ritio
n 20
10-2
014
Mem
bers
hip
of F
PAN
com
mitt
ee.
Ong
oing
M
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
11. E
stab
lish
proc
ess
for e
arly
det
ectio
n, re
ferr
al,
trea
tmen
t and
feed
back
for a
ll ch
ildre
n fa
iling
to
thriv
e or
sev
erel
y m
alno
uris
hed
Redu
ctio
n in
hos
pita
lised
cas
es o
f sev
ere
mal
nutr
ition
Redu
ctio
n in
mor
talit
y fr
om s
ever
e m
alnu
triti
on
2012
& o
n-go
ing
MoH
, Pae
diat
ric C
SN,
FHSS
P, U
NIC
EF, F
NU
STRA
TEG
IC A
REA
6: O
n-go
ing
deve
lopm
ent a
nd s
uppo
rt fo
r ope
ratio
nal r
esea
rch.
1. C
ontin
ue to
par
tner
with
inst
itutio
ns, a
genc
ies,
an
d st
reng
then
link
s w
ith th
e N
GO
s to
und
erta
ke
rele
vant
ope
ratio
nal r
esea
rch.
Dev
elop
and
impl
emen
t new
rese
arch
act
iviti
es in
pr
iorit
y ar
eas.
20
12 &
on-
goin
g M
oH, P
aedi
atric
CSN
, FN
U
26
27
Child Health Policy and Strategy